7 Google AI announcements from October

An expert Googler shared tips for using NotebookLM. Steven Johnson is a popular author who often writes on the intersection of science, technology and the human experience. In his role at Google, he’s also helped launch NotebookLM — the product gaining a lot of attention for helping people synthesize large volumes of information and quickly understand complex ideas. You can upload PDFs, Google Docs, websites, YouTube videos and more to NotebookLM to glean new insights and get deeper dives on new topics, which Steven details (along with other helpful tips) in his post.

Google Shopping rolled out new AI to help you pick the right product for you. The new Google Shopping — which is available in the U.S. to start — uses AI to help take the guesswork out of finding the right products. For example, when researching a product, an AI-generated brief will give you more details about the most important things to know before buying. And, as you browse the results, you will see AI-generated briefs about what to consider before making a purchase, plus the products that may (or may not) be a good fit for your needs. The Google Shopping home page will also now feature a feed of product recommendations, videos and a personalized deal page — so you can find products you want at the lowest price.

Search got a major AI update, expanding the types of questions people can ask. AI has already helped us reimagine Google Search, so people can ask questions in new ways — whether typing a query, searching with a camera or even humming a tune. In October, we added even more updates, including helping people to identify songs in Circle to Search, shop for what they see and search with video. For example, when people visit the aquarium they can open Lens in the Google app and hold down the shutter button to record the fish while asking aloud, “why are they swimming together?” — AI will make sense of the video and produce an AI Overview, along with helpful resources from across the web. The world is in constant motion, and Search can now help people understand it, as it is.

We announced that all Chromebooks, including two new models, will come with built-in AI. All Chromebooks will now come with the Gemini app, and Chromebook Plus laptops include new Google AI productivity tools like Live Translate, Help me write, the Recorder app and Welcome Recap, which helps people pick right back up where they left off when logging into a Chromebook. The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus, and features a new Quick Insert key to access AI features; and Lenovo’s latest Chromebook Duet 11” is compact, durable and converts between tablet and desktop mode in seconds.